Jewel Sells Gas Stations to Circle K

Jewel is selling its gas stations to Circle K.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

SuperValu Inc. agreed last week to sell its Jewel Express gas stations in the Chicago area, including the one at 16625 W. 159th St. in Lockport, to Couche-Tard/Circle K.

Other fuel centers in the Southland are in Orland Park, Oak Forest, New Lenox, Homewood and 9400 S. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

The stations are among 107 SuperValu is selling to raise money to strengthen other parts of its core grocery business.

The sale is expected to close this fall.

Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau's annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Tinley Park Convention Center. Keynote speaker will be Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. For information, contact Elizabeth Baun at 708-895-8200. To register, go to http://budurl.com/AnnualMeeting.

Chamber Doings
Bananas Restaurant is hosting a Business After Hours on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tinley Park, 18335 S. Harlem Ave. The restaurant was recently renovated. RSVP to the chamber at 708-532-5700, info@tinleychamber.org or http://www.tinleychamber.org/.

Wehmeier Portraits is hosting a Business After Hours on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 4:30 p.m. at 9540 W. 144th Place, Suite A, in Orland Park. RSVP to the Orland Area Chamber at (708) 349-2972 or http://www.orlandparkchamber.org/calresp.asp?id=14786

Archer Bank is hosting a Business After Hours on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 5-7:30 p.m. at 16700 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. RSVP to the chamber at 708-532-5700, info@tinleychamber.org or http://www.tinleychamber.org/.

Ribbon Cutting for Billy’s Char-House
Billy’s Char-House at 703 E. Ninth St. in Lockport will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Ribbon Cutting for Pompei
Pompei Little Italy will hold a ribbon cutting grand opening on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 11:45 a.m. at the Riviera Country Club at 8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

Educator to Speak to Rotary
A Lincoln-Way educator and Rotarian who travelled to Uganda this summer to work with teachers and students at a school for orphans and underprivileged children will talk about his experiences with the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Tim Reilly, director of instruction for Lincoln-Way High School District 210, spent eight days in Uganda this past summer observing and coaching eight teachers at Miracle Destiny School.

“I went to visit our `sister school’ and help their teachers,” said Reilly. “But I was impacted by the kids and teachers more than I helped.

“I thought I knew what to expect from the pictures and correspondences over the years,” he said. “But until I could see the school and community and feel their need personally, I really didn’t understand. That school is doing incredible work with so few resources. I was honored to work with them.”

Reilly will share stories and photographs from his trip at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 15 in Phoenix Hall. The community is invited to attend.

Each year, the club presents dictionaries to third-graders in Harvey School District 152, raises money for the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, donates eyeglasses for use in underprivileged countries and awards scholarships to graduating seniors from Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North, Tinley Park and Andrew high schools who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and service to the community.

For information, contact President Karen Wegrzyn at 708-359-4715 or visit the club’s website at http://www.tinleyparkfrankfortrotary.com/.

Postal Connections Announces Winner
Cary Sheehan, of Mokena, takes home an Apple iPod Touch as winner of the grand opening sweepstakes at Postal Connections, which opened recently at 18090 S. Wolf Road at the Marley Creek Shopping Center in Orland Park. Postal Connections is a retailer of postal, business and communication services. For information, contact owner Eric Czerwonka at 708-478-4965 or online at http://www.postalconnections.org/.

Fire Closes Franconello
A fire and explosion over the Labor Day weekend has temporarily closed Franconello Italian Restaurant at 10222 S. Western Ave. in Chicago’s Beverly community. The popular restaurant opened in 1993. Its owners told the Beverly Review they fully intend to reopen the establishment.